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City staff recommend pausing six water‑looping segments as estimated construction hits $3.6–4.1M
Summary
Staff updated council on a water‑main looping project that would reduce 55 dead‑end mains to about 25; staff reported remaining construction costs of roughly $3.6–4.1 million, recommended removing six loops from the current scope because of acquisition and potential eminent‑domain issues, and outlined a Feb. 2025 construction start target.
Public works staff told the City Council that the water‑main looping project—intended to reduce stagnant flows and improve water quality—currently addresses about 55 dead‑end mains and would reduce that number to roughly 25 upon completion.
Laura, the presenting engineering/public‑works staffer, said the project is about 75% through design and estimated remaining construction costs at about $3,600,000 to $4,100,000 (including a 10% contingency). She reported $135,046 has been spent or encumbered for land acquisition and that the city has about $1,661,354 available earmarked for land acquisition; remaining budget figures were described as comprising construction, contingencies, legal fees and construction observation. Staff recommended removing six loops from the immediate scope—about eight properties—because negotiations and requested contract conditions on those parcels have stalled, and at least one parcel will likely require eminent‑domain proceedings that could add months and legal fees.
On potential funding, staff said roughly $825,000 in unassigned 2018 certificate of obligation bond funds and about $2,960,000 in the utility fund could be applied toward construction needs. The schedule staff proposed calls for final construction documents by mid‑November, bid solicitation the week of Nov. 18, bid opening the week of Dec. 16, and construction to begin Feb. 2025 with an anticipated roughly one‑year duration. Laura also emphasized the operational impacts: current monthly flushing of dead‑end mains takes two staff over two days; the loops would reduce flushing frequency by about half and improve fire‑flow and ISO considerations.
Councilmembers asked about prioritization, costs already spent on the six at‑risk loops (approximately $143,000), estimated additional costs to complete them (~$145,000, per staff), and whether legal fees for eminent domain were included (staff said unknown). Staff said they plan pre‑construction meetings and a neighborhood communications plan, and recommended a mix of city staff and consultant construction observation to minimize resident disruption and manage contractor coordination.
